Firework explodes in boy’s hand
TEENAGER WHOSE THUMB WAS LEFT HANGING BY A THREAD IN WARNS OF DANGERS
A TEENAGER’S thumb was left hanging by a thread after his hand was nearly blown off by a powerful explosion from a £25 firework.
Rio Diveney, 16, needed pins inserted into his thumb, before it was stitched back onto his hand.
His hand was split down the middle after he ignited the gunpowder contained in the rocket.
The teenager, from Oldham, also suffered burns to his chest, arms and abdomen.
After being taken to the Royal Oldham Hospital by the mother of one of his friends, he was later transferred to Wythenshawe Hospital Burns Unit for further treatment.
The incident happened after his pals had retrieved a rocket that had failed to explode.
Rio’s dad Ricky, 37, said : “They had taken the rocket apart with the gunpowder out of it and Rio’s gone down there and decided to light it.
“But it exploded immediately, damaging his hand and ruining his clothes.
“The doctors said he was lucky his hand wasn’t blown completely off, the firework was that powerful.”
Rio has spoken about his ordeal as part of Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service’s ‘Bang Out of Order’ campaign.
Rio said: “One of my friends said he had this firework, he brought it outside, I thought it was just a normal firework. I took it to the corner of the street, went to light it and it just blew up, it didn’t make the normal noise a firework would.”
Rio, a keen footballer who plays as a winger for Tameside Sunday League team Manor FC, sent out a powerful message to other young people and children: “I’ve learnt that if someone offers you a firework, don’t take it. Think about what can actually happen.
“As a family, we don’t normally have our own fireworks, we attend organised displays. I will never mess with fireworks again.
“I’ve been very lucky, I could’ve lost my hand completely, or the use of it, but I have been told I will regain the full use of it.”
Rio, of Sunfield Avenue, Moorside, is a former pupil of Newman RC College in Chadderton. He left recently to begin a joinery apprenticeship and is hoping to return to work and play football as soon as possible.
The teenager is undergoing weeks of physiotherapy.
He added: “I can’t do things – my dad has to help me do everything. I am right-handed, it’s stopped me from doing most things. I have been very lucky, doctors have said I could’ve lost my first finger, my thumb, they said it could have been my face. It could have been my heart where my stitches were – it could’ve been a lot worse than it was.
“If anyone brings you a firework, just think twice and say no because this is what can happen.” Val Hussain,
GMFRS group manager for Bury, Oldham and Rochdale, said: “Every year we see a number of people, including children, injured through the misuse of fireworks and sadly we have seen it happen again in recent weeks. “Our advice would be, if possible, go to an organised bonfire and fireworks display, and if you are doing this, please don’t forget to keep up with all the Covid-19 measures. If you are going to use fireworks at home, then please follow the firework code and that starts with making sure the fireworks have the CE standard mark on them. “Fireworks can be enjoyable but can also be extremely dangerous if not used correctly.”